Parent/Coach Blindness! It's an Epidemic!

I should not just leave it at parent/coach. I should add...parent/manager/assistant/comissioner/parks and rec.board/ect.,ect.,ect. You take a position in the organization to further your child's career or to get him on a travel team, or a tournament team or maybe just to insure some playing time. This post is addressing you fine folks who have convinced yourselves that you are doing your community a favor by volunteering your time for the children of your town or city. As of right now you may have your friends and neighbors on your side , but believe me they are catching on too. They don't understand why your kid plays more innings than their kid when he is not as talented. I work with players of all ages and from different towns and I hear the same thing every year from young players. "The coach's son plays my position and I don't really get a shot at it." "I didn't get to pitch because the coach's son and the assistants son pitched the whole game." "I only get two at bats per game because the coach's son and his friends bat before me." Parent/Coach you are the only one who is blind to the fact that your kid plays out of his league, out of position, and hits way too high in the line up. Doctoring the stats is cheating and your kid is not as good as you wish he was. Stop trying to live through your kid. Be honest with him and yourself. So, Is this for all parent coaches? No...There are some out there that really do have a clue about coaching and can be fair to the entire team, but from what I see they are a dying breed. I know these things tent to weed themselves out later on in HS and College, but too many young players are being discouraged and quiting before they even get to that point. If you happen to read this and get angry, maybe you are guilty. If you are offended by this, quit your position for a couple of years and see if your kid is really that good. I will end this by giving my advice to the players being effected by the type of situation I am describing..."Be better than everyone else on the field and you will never have to deal with politics."

Another South Jersey (GC) Player in MLB!

This blog is in sorts just a congratulations to Greg Burke. Greg is a 26 year old Gloucester Catholic HS, Duke University (2 degree) Graduate. He is now a relief pitcher for the San Diego Padres. It is always great to see a local product make it to the highest level in all of baseball. His story is great, so if you get a chance to research him do so. Greg showed determination and willingness to get to where he is today by working hard for what he wanted on and off the field. I'm sure everyone that has ever worn the Gloucester Catholic uniform was very proud to see that 1-2-3 inning he had last night against the Philadelphia Phillies. Let Greg be an inspiration to all the young players in the area and I personally wish him the best of luck in his travels.